Loose leaf binder



Aug. 30, 1932. R. J. COPELAND LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed April 1. 1930 lnlenior. Foerf J. Cape/and .h in) Patented Aug. 30, 1932 UNITED STATESROBERT J. COPELAND, OF TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA LOOSE LEAF BINDERApplication filed April 1, 1930, Serial No. 440,785; and infGanada April4, I929.

The principal objects of this invention are to provide a simple form ofmetal for the post type of binder which will lock securely in positionby engagement with the post.

The principal feature of the invention consists of the novelconstruction of a sliding binder member within the adjustable metal orback which will slide longitudinally to move a pair of bevelled springfingers into gripping engagement with each post.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a binder back to whichmy invention has been applied.

Figure 2 is a perspective view with the top portion of the upper metalremoved showing the sliding member in position engaging the post.

Numerous forms of slidable locks for holding binder backs in position onthe posts have been devised, but many objections to these are found inthat they work loose in the handling of the books or they fail tofunction properly in gripping the post.

According to the present invention the tubular metal 1 of the uppercover is provided with holes 2 through which the posts 3 extend and alongitudinal slot 4 is arranged therein between the posts.

Within the tubular metal is arranged a slidable bar 5 which ispreferably formed with the upturned edge flanges 6 which form guides inthe sliding of said member within the metal 1, the flanges snuglyengaging the inner wall of said tubular metal preventing side to sidemovement of the bar 5 therein.

A slot 6 is cut in the flat bottom 7 of the bar 5 adjacent to one endand a notch 8 is cut in the opposite end of the bar, though the latternotch may be a slot similar to the slot 6 if desired.

The spring members for gripping the posts 3 are each formed from a sheetof metal having a cross-piece 9 at one end holding a pair of fingers 10spaced apart said cross-piece being secured to the slide bar 5.

The inward edges of the fingers 10 con verge toward each other and atthe wider end permit the posts 3 to pass th-erebetween freely but theyare so spaced that a slight longitudinal-movement of theibai" 5 willbring theconver-gent edges of the fingers into Contact with the posts.

-TheI-in-wardedges 11 of the fingersare turned: in an upward and inwardsloping direction and the plates from which-the fingers are made are outaway-in an outward directron adjacent to the cross piece 9 impartingtortional freedom and pronounced flexibility "theretoVsoithatthe' edges11 willbe free to spring in an upward direction throughout their entirelength.

These-gripping members are for-med of thin :sheet-metal stamped toshapenand are tempered to asteelspringuquality, consequentlyftheywillflGX' readily whennioved into contact with the posts and will return totheirnormal position when moved out of icon-tact. g

a lnzthe (center-of theislide bar 5 there is formedza iraised projection12 to which the button13?:onvthe-outside of the-metal 1 issmmcdthroughthe slot 4. By placingthe 'finger and thumb on the button 18the bar 5 =may be moved longitudinallywithin the -.meta-l. 1 to engageor 1 disengage the i posts.

The peculiar formation of the springinkgers IOIissuch that iftheslidebar 5 becomes displaced from its freeposit'ioni and anperson places thetop metal over the posts, when 1 such side i bar isrin such ar-position, no harm "will be donev to ;.thelocking member because thefingers will spring :Ereely away fromthe uposts because pf their" upwardand inward slant. I

' 'llh'evfi-ngers are supported along their. outer edges fby fittingsnugly into the angle :of the slide bar 5for-med by the upturned edges,preventinglateralbodily displacement of the xfingers duectothethrust orexpanding influence imparted thereto thep'osts; r 1

This feature of supporting the slender spring features at their outwardedge is imon engagement :with

portant and ensures that the fingers will not be distorted or injuredand any movement thereof will be of a tortional nature providing a verypositive and dependable locking condition, and since the sliding barmember is definitely confined against lateral displacement within thetubular metal due to the contacting side flanges 6 engaging the sidewalls thereof, it will be evident that the locking of the fingers 11with the respective posts will maintain the tubular metal back in adefinitely locked position on the posts. I a It will be seen that thesespring finger members may be made very simply at low cost and the numberof operations required to make them and place them on the bar 5 and theconstruction of the'bar' 5 are all so simple that the cost will bereduced to the minimum. i

What I claim as my invention is 15 1. In a loose leaf hinder, thecombination with the binder posts, of a tubular metal adapted to fitover said posts and having openings therethrough to receive the posts, aflanged bar slidably arranged within said metal having slotsthrough-which said posts extend, and a pair of spring plates, eachslotted longitudinally from one end, the latter slots having'converg'ngsides, the fingers formed by the slotting of said members resting withinthe angle of the flanged bar, said filngers being set with an upward andinward s ope 2. In a loose leaf binder, the combination with the binderpost, and a binder metal having openings to receive the post, of agripping member arranged in said binder metal having a pair of fingersadapted to straddle the post, said fingers having converging edgesinclined upwardly means for moving said gripping member longitudinally,the

metal at the connected ends of said fingers being cut outward and awayfrom the converging edges to weaken said fingers and impart tortionalfreedom and flexibility thereto, and means engaging said weakenedfingers at the outward edges to reinforce the same against outwardthrust. I

' 3. In a loose leaf binder, the combination with the binder posts, of atubular metal pierced to fit over said posts, a bar housed in saidtubular metal said bar having slots to i receive the posts andpresenting a laterally turned flange at each side snuglv engaging thewall of said tubular metal to limit lateral movement of said bar, andspring locking fingers secured to saidbar and'movable by the latter intolocking and unlocking relation to said posts, said laterally turnedflanges co-operating with said springfingers to support the same inlocking relation to said posts. ROBERT J. COPELAND.

